Every 40 seconds, someone experiences a heart attack or stroke. These
incidents - commonly referred to as cardiovascular events - are now
the leading cause of death in society today. The good news is, four
out of five cardiovascular deaths are preventable, and weight is an
important factor in keeping the heart healthy.
More than 80% of people experiencing a heart attack or stroke live
with overweight or obesity. Excessive and impaired body fat
tissue can cause inflammation in the blood vessels that lead to the
heart, causing a heart attack. Stiff arteries can also increase the
risk of blood clots that travel to the brain, causing a stroke.
This process is known as atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis involves the gradual build-up of fatty tissue
(plaque) inside your artery. Eventually, the plaque can rupture and
trigger a blood clot.
Factors that increase a person’s risk of atherosclerosis, such
as elevated levels of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, can
also be linked with obesity.
Unfortunately, 50% of people who have had a heart attack or stroke
will experience another one in their lifetime, resulting in people
having to live with fear, pain or reduced physical ability, and in the
most serious of cases, even death.
Fortunately, the risk of death for cardiovascular events is lessened
due to more effective ways of identifying and managing the risk
factors early. In fact, today, 80% of deaths caused by heart attack
and stroke are preventable, and most preventable deaths
originate from cardiovascular conditions that can be caused by
overweight and obesity.
Research shows that people who lose 10% or more of their body weight
reduce their risk of a non-fatal heart attack or stroke by to
24%. This is because weight loss improves blood pressure and reduces
blood lipids, preventing the hardening of arteries and the formation
of blood clots.
Even losing 5% body weight can benefit the heart. Did you know that
losing 5% body weight (typically around 3-5 kilograms for people with
a BMI of 30) can improve sleep length and quality? There are many
other health benefits to 5% - 15% weight loss, explore other articles
to find out more.